I'm thinking of an old oak tree from my childhood .... far older than the oldest person on earth..... I was told. Propped against it, the top rungs disappearing into the foliage, was a tall (and wide) weathered ladder. To this day I don't know what it was used for.... maybe roof repairs ... but the thing that stands out in my mind, is the view from the top ..... which made me feel very heady and almost powerful enough to fly. Almost....

This piece is by Robert Rauschenberg. "The work consists of two separate canvases, each the height of a man. A wooden ladder bridges the gap between them, and its legs extend to the floor, inviting the viewer to climb into the picture".

Ladders by Adrian Lawson. I wish we could see each painting individually but you can visit the Hand Held Gallery and click on the picture to enlarge it.

"Every positive change -- every jump to a higher level of energy and awareness -- involves a rite of passage. Each time to ascend to a higher rung on the ladder of personal evolution, we must go through a period of discomfort, of initiation. I have never found an exception." - Dan Millman

46 comments:

This is a very unusual subject and a beautiful post. The first picture was especially striking and powerful and after slowly reading through I found the last quotation very moving. Thank you for this Robyn.

ps: I have my chrome browser magnified at 120% so reading this was a breeze.

Fabulous post about ladders! I hadn't even thought about the symbolism...and several new artists I am not familiar with to boot....always fun to see what you have in store for your loyal readers Robyn!

Robyn--thank you as always for sharing your thoughtful mind, heart and eyes with us. Ladders--what a great metaphor! One of my favorite ladder paintings is the one of Georgia O'Keefe's ladder going into the night, which always makes me feel that lovely, shivery feeling of mystery. And this ladder you've shown us of Robert Rauschenberg's--the space between gives me pause for thought.

You have given me something new to think about. I don't believe I have ever thought of ladders in art. I too remember being in a tall maple tree when I was young. That feeling of being about to see and not be seen. Looking down on all that was normally making me feel small. I felt to tall and free.

Hi Robyn, yes, something about ladders - for me it's totally symbolic - I have always hated to climb ladders - fear of heights, I guess. Maybe I like ladders because of the game -'Snakes and ladders' - the quick sneaky trip to the top avoiding the pitfalls along the way - hmmm....and yes, my immediate reaction to Barry's spiral beads was the same as yours - spiral envy?? xoxoxox

R- F and I sometimes think and talk about life and the various aspects of it in terms of snakes and ladders. The ladders are the way up - snakes the way down. There are days, events and people who are ladder types and those that are snake types - some lift you up whilst others want to take you down. Thanks for the great images but also the opportunity to reflect. Go well and may you get that elevated studio space that is all yours. B

... chrome browser magnified... 120%.... I'm going to pretend i know what you are talking about.

Weaver, thanks for the recommendation. I thought of your mobile phone post today when my phone went on the blink.

Mansuetude, another memory connected to that tree....all the hens used to climb the ladder to roost in the tree at night. We would go out with a torch and shine up into the tree to see many startled hens looking down on us. So startled were they that they laid eggs from a dizzy height and of course the floor was littered in smashed eggs. At the time it was great fun but thinking about it now i would have given those kids a damned good hiding.

In Google Images search for "martin puryear" +"fort worth". His ladder is in a room that is two stories high, the best part is going upstairs and looking down at it from the balcony above. I love ladders -- an escape route!

Oh my - so beautiful Robyn. Each of these took my breath away a little- they are so potent and haunting and dream-like. I think ladders do connect; sometimes they rescue; sometimes they let you escape...such powerful symbols. I have been playing with them in my own art - but these are spectacular.

Ladders have always held a lot of meaning for me, too. For one, when I was a child, after having seen "Mary Poppins", my friend and I put up a ladder in her yard, from which we intended to leap- holding onto an umbrella, of course- and fly away in the wind! I have done a few pieces with ladders, which have meant different things at different times. All of these pieces are just amazing, and I must now spend several hours exploring the work of the artists who made them. Thank you for the introductions!

I love ladders, too, especially ones going up into the sky with no destination apparent. I have a vision of making tiny ladders someday and putting them in key places around the garden.. so many instincts to follow! Thanks for all the wonderful work to sit with.

Dear Robyn, i am here this morning thinking about my own paintings and about focal points and imagery. Your ladders have just jumped out at me crying "draw me!" Who knows, maybe I will! And I love your words about ladders, especially your last quote, and the work of Graceann Warn. I hope you are having a fantastic week! roxanne

Just catching up with you. LOVE seeing your finished commission in the last post. I also found this post interesting because of the subject matter. Different. I so agree with the Millman quote at bottom.

fantastic...I love the sculptures especially....symbolic of carrying us up when we are longing to be closer to that which cannot be seen...and they yet turned inward can carry us deeper into ourselves as well to find the still point that we thought was beyond our own reality.